Dengue cases rise in Central Visayas

A RISE in dengue cases among children in the wake of a measles outbreak in Central Visayas was reported by the Department of Health (DoH) on Sunday.

Validated data from the DoH Epidemiology Bureau showed that dengue cases in the region from January 1 to 26 reached 1,657, higher than the 643 recorded in the same period in 2018 — a 158-percent increase.

The number of dengue fatalities soared to 14 from three.

The most affected age group is 0 to 9 years with 714, followed by 10 to 19 with 591; 20 to 29 with 215; 30 to 39 with 66; 40 to 49 with 26; 50 to 59 with 20; and 60 and above with 25.

Western Visayas also reported a higher incidence rate of the mosquito-borne viral disease.

Also from January 1 to 26, the DoH’s surveillance unit recorded 722 cases of dengue fever, slightly higher than the 606 reported during the same period last year.

There was no change in the number of deaths (three).

Meanwhile, other regions that reported outbreaks of measles namely, Metro Manila ( National Capital Region), Central Luzon and Calabarzon ( Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) reported lower cases of dengue also from January 1 to 26, compared with the same period in 2018.

Because of a ban on Dengvaxia, the controversial dengue vaccine to which the recent measles outbreak had been attributed, the DoH said “vector control,” or methods to eradicate disease-transmitting pests, was the best way to ensure water reservoirs were drained, so mosquitoes would not multiply there.

It was the best alternative to prevent the spread of the dengue virus, the department added.

It said it would continue its vaccination drive against measles until the immunization coverage reaches 90 to 95 percent.

Although Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo last week said the DoH had failed to reach its immunization targets for the past 10 years, its vaccination coverage had been at 70 to 80 percent.